If you’re interested in business, participating in competitions while you’re still in high school is a great way to understand how businesses actually run. In most competitions, you’ll work in a team to come up with a startup idea, analyze a company, or develop a marketing plan. You might get to research your target audience, study competitors, and test whether your idea makes sense using basic market research. Many competitions also involve creating simple financial models in Excel, where you’ll estimate costs, revenue, and profits. Some competitions also include case studies, where you’ll be given a business problem and have to come up with a solution within a set time. You’ll also learn practical concepts such as pricing, budgeting, branding, and business decision-making.
Why should you participate in a business competition?
Business competitions give you a chance to use what you’ve learned in subjects like economics and math. You’ll use tools like spreadsheets, presentation software, and structured frameworks to solve problems. Competitions can help you explore different areas like finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship, so you can figure out your interests. You’ll also learn how to organize your ideas clearly, back them up with data, and explain them in a way others can understand. The experience of working under time constraints and presenting your ideas clearly will be useful in both academic and real-world settings.
With that, here are 15 business competitions for high school students that are worth exploring.
However, if you’re looking for business research programs, you can find them here. You can also find business internships for high school students here.
15 Business Competitions for High School Students
1. SAGE Global Teen Entrepreneur Competition
Location: Virtual (SAGE USA); Vin University, Hanoi, Vietnam (SAGE World Cup)
Cost and Prizes: Free; Prize money and trophy offered at the World Cup stage
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies depending on the specific event
Dates: SAGE USA: May 3 – 17 (winners will be announced on May 31); SAGE World Cup: July 30 – August 2
Registration Deadline: For SAGE USA: April 25 – May 2; Registration for the SAGE World Cup opens in June
Eligibility: Students aged 13-19
SAGE allows teen entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into real businesses with help from teachers and mentors. At the SAGE USA National Competition, you and your team will present your business concept through a 13-minute video, a 7 minute Q and A session, and a four-page PDF annual report covering your work, impact, and achievements. Judges will evaluate your decision-making skills, impact, and business potential. The top two teams advance to the SAGE World Cup, where they will present on an international stage and interact with student entrepreneurs and industry leaders. You’ll receive mentorship from business professionals, educators, and university students to help you build your business and improve your pitch. Winners earn prize money and a trophy, resources to grow their ventures, and networking and potential internship opportunities.
2. Annual Marion County Youth Business Plan Competition
Location: Virtual + In-person pitch event at the College of Central Florida, Ocala, FL
Cost and Prizes: Free; $500 – $4,000 cash prizes
Cohort Size: Students can participate individually or in a team of up to 5 students
Dates: In-person pitch competition: April 8
Registration Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: Marion County high school students
The Marion County Youth Business Plan Competition allows you to build and present a full business plan and develop entrepreneurship skills. You can join alone or in a team of up to five students and work with mentors and industry professionals to improve your idea. Through workshops and presentations, you’ll learn market research, financial planning, and how to turn ideas into practical business plans. In the first round, you’ll submit an online application with answers about your business idea and a short video explaining your concept. After submissions close, judges review and score each entry, then select five finalists to present at an in-person pitch competition. You’ll also interact with peers and community leaders, and build skills in problem-solving, public speaking, and strategy. The top five teams receive cash prizes ranging from $500 to $4,000, and the top three teams will also be featured in CEP Network Magazine.
3. Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition (CEC)
Location: Virtual
Cost and Prizes: Free; Official certificate offered
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: March 2 – June 5; Voting Phase: May 5 – June 5; Winners announced: June 23
Registration Deadline: May 4
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and above
The Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition is a business and entrepreneurship program where you’ll pitch a new idea or grow an existing venture aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. You’ll start by submitting a short pitch, and if selected, you’ll complete online courses and use the Entrepreneurial Design Canvas to develop your project. The idea is published for public voting, and the top ten entries move on to the finals. A jury reviews them based on innovation, feasibility, impact, and sustainability, and the winners are announced at an online ceremony. This competition will allow you to join a global community, connect with entrepreneurs and experts, and receive feedback to improve your idea. Winners also take part in a consultation webinar with Stiftung Entrepreneurship for personalized guidance and support.
4. Tim Draper High School Utah Entrepreneur Challenge (HSUEC)
Location: Virtual; Final event and awards ceremony: Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Cost and Prizes: Free; Up to $30,000 in cash prizes and scholarships
Cohort Size: Maximum 5 students per team
Dates: Online judging: January 19 – 30; Final event: February 28; More details here
Registration Deadline: September 10 – January 14
Eligibility: High school students ages 14-18; Utah students are especially encouraged to participate
The Tim Draper High School Utah Entrepreneur Challenge is a business and entrepreneurship competition where you’ll develop an idea and compete for $30,000 in cash and scholarships. It is run by the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah. You’ll join a team of up to five and create a proposal that explains the problem, its solution, and the target audience. You’ll create a prototype to show how your idea solves the problem, such as an app, technology, website, machinery, a cardboard model, or a sketch. You’ll also submit a 200-word summary and a short pitch. After online judging, the top 20 teams present a five-minute pitch, answer questions, and submit a one-minute video. Judges include industry professionals and entrepreneurs. Winners receive prizes, scholarships, mentorship, and support to grow their business ideas.
5. Blue Ocean Competition
Location: Virtual
Cost and Prizes: Free; Up to $1,000 cash prizes and certificates offered
Cohort Size: Over 23,000 students participated in a year
Dates: February 22 – May 13
Registration Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school students ages 14-18 at the time of registration
The Blue Ocean Competition is a business-focused program where you’ll pitch an original idea that solves real problems or explores new opportunities. You’ll begin with a short online mini-course, then submit a five-minute YouTube video in English explaining your idea, target audience, its purpose, and what makes it different. You can participate alone or as part of a team of up to five students from the same or different schools. You’ll shape your pitch using tools like the ERRC Grid and Strategy Canvas. The top 100 videos are posted online and judged by multiple reviewers, with scores combined and pitches ranked. Rounds narrow from 100 to 30, then 10, before winners are announced. Prizes range from $500 to $ 1,000, with possible internships.
6. Montana Chamber Foundation’s Prospects High School Business Competition
Location: Virtual; Final pitch competition: MSU Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship, Bozeman, MT
Cost and Prizes: Free; $2,500 – $5,000 cash prizes and scholarships offered
Cohort Size: No fixed cohort size; Students can participate individually or as part of a team
Dates: Submissions: November 3 – January 16 (Semester 1), March 13 (Semester 2); Virtual awards ceremony: April 23; In-person pitch competition: May 17 – 18
Registration Deadline: Open on September 5
Eligibility: High school students in Montana, including those in public, private, or religious schools, as well as homeschooled students and those pursuing a HiSET diploma
The Prospects High School Business Competition is a statewide virtual program where you’ll develop business and entrepreneurship skills and interact with local business leaders. You can choose between two tracks: one for new business ideas and another for existing businesses, and develop a product, service, or community-focused solution. To participate, you will need to submit a two-minute pitch video and a 1,000-word business summary using a set template, with both parts weighted equally. Judges from across Montana review submissions, give feedback, and may offer internship or job opportunities. Through mentorship and training, you’ll strengthen your approach to building and presenting a business. Grand champions in each category receive $5,000, and second-place winners earn $2,500.
7. University of Delaware’s Diamond Challenge
Location: Pitching rounds: University of Delaware, Newark, DE + Virtual; The Limitless World Summit: Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington, DE
Cost and Prizes: Free; Up to $12,000 in cash prizes offered
Cohort Size: 2-4 high school students per team
Dates: The Pitching Round: February 10 (finalists announced on March 9); Limitless World Summit: April 23 – 24
Registration Deadline: September 17 – January 15
Eligibility: High school students ages 14-18 by the submission deadline
The Diamond Challenge, run by the University of Delaware, is a business and entrepreneurship program where you’ll create and pitch a startup idea. You’ll join a team of 2-4 students with an adult advisor and choose between Business Innovation or Social Innovation. The first round includes a 3-5-page concept paper, a pitch deck, and a 60-second introduction video. If you advance, you’ll submit a 5-minute pitch with a maximum of 15 slides. Finalists will present at the Limitless World Summit, where at least one team member attends in person. You’ll receive mentor feedback, connect with other student founders, and improve your idea. The competition offers cash prizes of $12,000, $8,000, and $4,500 for the top teams in each track, as well as guidance from a large network of mentors, judges, and workshop leaders. Top teams also receive funding to develop their venture or support higher education.
8. Wharton Global High School Investment Competition
Location: Virtual; Global Finale: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, or online through videoconferencing
Cost and Prizes: Free; No cash prizes
Cohort Size: 4-6 students per team
Dates: September 29 – December 5; Global Finale: April 24 – 25
Registration Deadline: June 30 – September 12
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 to 12, aged 14–18
The Wharton Global High School Investment Competition is a free global challenge where you’ll join a team of 4–6 students and manage a mock $500,000 portfolio using the Wharton Investment Simulator (WInS). With a teacher’s guidance, you’ll trade stocks, ETFs, and U.S. Treasury bonds as well as learn diversification, risk, research, and strategy in a business and entrepreneurship setting. Over ten weeks, you’ll need to complete at least one trade to qualify. Judges will review final reports and select 50 semifinalist teams, who will present their strategies virtually. The top 10 teams will move on to the finale at the University of Pennsylvania, held in person or online. Winners will earn free spots in Wharton’s online summer programs, and all finalists will get access to the Understanding Your Money course.
9. The Big Idea Competition
Location: Virtual; Final competition: Johnson Fine Arts Center, Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
Cost and Prizes: Free; $55,000 overall in cash prizes and scholarships
Cohort Size: Over 300 participants (Up to 3 students per team)
Dates: Final business idea submissions: October 31; Online final: December 9; In-person final: December 10
Registration Deadline: September 1 – October 31
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in a public or private school, as well as homeschooled students
The Big Idea Competition is a business and entrepreneurship contest where you can compete alone or in a team of up to 3. You’ll submit a written report on your idea, target market, competitors, and management plan, as well as a short video pitch. Eight finalists will be chosen to present a 6-minute live pitch, which includes a brief elevator pitch and a longer presentation. You will also receive mentorship to refine your plans. Awards will be given on the same day. The top three winners receive cash prizes ranging from $250 to $1,000, along with scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $2,500. For competing in special categories, South Dakota students can earn $500 cash prizes and $500 scholarships to Northern State University, including hometown business, agricultural innovation, and manufacturing. All participants can compete for the wellness award.
10. CaseCatalyst Case Competition
Location: Virtual
Cost and Prizes: $120 – $200 registration fee; Participation certificates offered
Cohort Size: 3-4 students per team
Dates: July 19 – August 23
Registration Deadline: April 26 (Early Bird Deadline 1); May 31 (Early Bird Deadline 2); July 5 (Regular Deadline)
Eligibility: High school students
CaseCatalyst Case Competition allows you to step into a consulting role and solve real business problems for startups. Over four weeks, you’ll work in a team of three to four on cases created with partner startups and build practical solutions in an entrepreneurship setting. Selected teams present their solutions to startup decision makers, and if you win, you may get your ideas implemented or earn an internship with the firm. You’ll receive mentorship from students at Stanford University, Harvard University, Yale University, and UC Berkeley, as well as get guidance from professionals at Bain & Company, McKinsey & Company, and Boston Consulting Group. Cases will be reviewed by Stanford professors. You will build an AI-based prototype, attend expert workshops, and develop skills in communication, research, teamwork, and presentations. Top teams may also be featured in major media outlets.
11. Project ECHO: Teen Entrepreneurs’ Business Plan Competition
Location: California State University, Carson, CA + Virtual
Cost and Prizes: Free; $250 – $2,000 cash start-up funding offered
Cohort Size: Previously, more than 200 students from 35 high schools formed 52 business teams for the competition
Dates: Annual competition: May 31
Registration Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Schools can register a business, entrepreneurship class, or club through the Launching ECHO program; Individual high school students under 19 can also register their own business team independently
The Project ECHO High School Entrepreneurs’ Business Plan Competition allows you to pitch a startup idea to investors in a business-focused setting. On competition day, you and your team will present your business, and judges will evaluate both your written plan and presentation. You’ll also hear from entrepreneurial keynote speakers who share insights on building and scaling ventures. Cash prizes are awarded to the top three teams in each category, Products, Services, and Social Enterprise, with $1,000 for first place, $500 for second, and $250 for third. The overall top team receives $2,000. You can also join the Launching ECHO course, where you’ll build a business idea, create a full pitch, and compete.
12. Seton Hall University’s Pirates Pitch Competition for High School Students
Location: Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ + Virtual
Cost and Prizes: Free; Up to $2,500 in cash prizes and $10,000 in scholarships
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: November 21 (tentative)
Registration Deadline: August 25 – October 22 (tentative)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0
The Pirates Pitch Competition at Seton Hall University is a business and entrepreneurship competition where you can present an original idea or an existing venture. You’ll submit a 350-word description explaining the problem, target customers, revenue plan, and how the idea stands out, with an optional three-minute video. Ten finalists are selected to give a five-minute in-person pitch to judges. First place earns $2,500 and a $10,000 scholarship, second place receives $1,000 and a $6,000 scholarship, and other finalists get $4,000 scholarships. An audience choice award of $300 is also given. Finalists also gain mentorship, connect with business leaders, alumni, and faculty, and develop their entrepreneurial ideas.
13. tecBRIDGE High School Business Plan Competition (HSBPC)
Location: tecBRIDGE Awards Event: FM Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Cost and Prizes: Free; Prizes not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Presentation finalists are announced on March 27, followed by live finals on April 18; tecBRIDGE Awards Event: April 29
Registration Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: High school and homeschooled students living in Berks, Pike, Monroe, Schuylkill, Lackawanna, Wayne, Luzerne, or Susquehanna counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania
The tecBRIDGE High School Business Plan Competition is a business and entrepreneurship program where you’ll build a STEAM-based venture as part of a team. You’ll research key areas and present your idea with a written response, financial reports, and a presentation. Entries are evaluated based on clear thinking, scalable business ideas, and creativity, and will be reviewed by entrepreneurs, business professionals, and educators. If you advance to the final round, you’ll present for 10 minutes and answer questions from judges before winners are announced. You’ll receive mentorship to improve your plan and presentation. The live finals are open to families and community members, and winners are recognized at an awards event at the F. M. Kirby Center, giving you experience in pitching and building a business idea.
14. Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge
Location: Virtual
Cost and Prizes: 10,000 yen per team (approximately $63); Trophies and certificates of achievement offered
Cohort Size: Maximum 3 teams per country and 3-8 students per team
Dates: Preliminary Round: May 16; Final Round: June 20
Registration Deadline: April 20
Eligibility: High school students ages 14-18
The Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge is a 12-hour online business idea competition where you’ll develop innovative solutions to address global issues such as social welfare, sustainability, and education. You’ll work in a team of 3-8 students with skills in science, business, technology, or communication to develop a practical solution. The challenge is released on the day of the event, and you’ll have 12 hours to submit a two-page A4 write-up and a three-minute video in English. All teams compete in a preliminary round, and top teams from each country move to the global finals. Judges evaluate based on creativity, marketing, feasibility, financial planning, and communication. Winners receive a trophy and a certificate, and all participants receive a certificate and feedback.
15. NFTE World Series of Innovation (WSI) – Impact League Challenge
Location: Virtual
Cost and Prizes: Free; Up to $1,500 cash prizes
Cohort Size: Around 3,951 students participated previously
Dates: September 9 – April 21; Top 10 finalists announcement: February 20; Finalist pitch videos due: March 8; Winners announcement: April 21
Registration Deadline: September 9 – December 12
Eligibility: Students ages 13-24 can participate in the Impact League Challenge; High school students are especially encouraged to participate
NFTE World Series of Innovation Impact League Challenge is a business and entrepreneurship program where you’ll use entrepreneurial thinking to solve real-world problems linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. You can join alone or in a team and choose from challenges like education, clean water, solar energy, public health, financial literacy, and climate action. After registering, you will review the challenge brief and submit your idea online. Entries are judged on creativity, feasibility, and impact. With support from mentors, staff, and peers, top teams move to the finals and create pitch videos before winners are announced at a virtual event. Prizes range from $300 to $1,500, with additional awards for teachers and mentors.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects such as business, marketing, and entrepreneurship, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source: CaseCatalyst